Manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, profiles the increasing rigor that Food Automation Operations are facing in the February issue of Automation.com. According to Cutler, "New food industry dynamics require that sustainability must be a priority; in an era of cost-cutting food automation, food operations professionals, from plant managers to quality managers, must implement innovative technologies and form alliances with outside experts. One of the central distinctions of food automation is developing the right mix of innovative niche food products and line expansions which produce the best bottom line impact."

With the possible exception of pharmaceutical manufacturing, no industry sector is similarly exposed to the quality manufacturing requirements as the food industry. Building core competencies, effective tracking and tracing programs are not optional; regulatory compliance requires it. From raw material control processors to state-of-the-art software solutions, leading and lean methodologies drive a distinct competitive advantage for even the smallest food operations.

Jerry List, vice-president of QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com), which provides warehouse control systems for several sectors including food distribution, suggested that, "Food automation distribution warehouses are facing increased pressure as retailers insist on customized orders, including partial pallets…even single unit food product delivery."

Ultimately automation is the only solution to the growing inability to find and keep labor in the food processing industry. Labor issues, the increasing need for traceability, food safety, and competition from low-cost global manufacturing, fuel the growing trend toward increased automation in the sector. Automation will allow food manufacturers and distributors to achieve a consistent pattern of positive growth and return on equity through manufacturing leadership. The entire feature can be read at http://www.automation.com/sitepages/pid3284.php.

QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.